7.27.2010

Buttoned-Up

If you wear collared shirts without a tie, I'd venture to guess that you don't button all of your buttons. Not to say that it can't look good, I think you just have to have a certain panache to pull it off.

Sidebar: Once I was on my way to a circus-themed party dressed as an old-tyme magician. I buttoned the top button of the white shirt I was wearing on the car ride over so that the pinpoint collar wouldn't be less splayed out to the sides when I arrived. I unknowingly left the top button done upon entering the party and with the suspenders and beard I was wearing everyone thought I had come dressed as an Amish man.

Anyway, it seems almost second nature to undo the top button of a casual shirt while not wearing a tie. But what if the second button is a bit high? You don't want to look like you live with your mother, do you? Depending on the shirt (naturally), I find myself more often than not in the summer undoing the top two buttons on my shirts. It may seem like a minor detail or some kind of contrivance but I always say that the devil is in the details.

Reasons for leaving two buttons undone are plentiful:

The more pronounced "V" formed by the two halves of the shirt better frames the face in lieu of a tie and jacket.

The larger opening allows for more airflow and better cooling properties.

Mentioning the shirt buttoned all the way up reminded me of Glenn O'Brien in GQ a few years ago (found here - http://www.gq.com/style/style-guy/suiting/200011/button-up-collar ). I remember because I tried it a few times. It looks better if you have a sport coat on. Google David Lynch and there's the look.